UFC 290 LIVE: Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez results

Round 2

Volkanovski seems to have a cut above his left eye, but it’s not too bad right now. Rodriguez leaps into range with a flamboyant head-kick attempt, but Volk evades it and circles away.

Volkanovski gets ahold of Rodriguez and drives him to the fence. He tries to take the back, but Yair does a good job of fighting the Aussie’s hands and standing back up... but not for long. Volk gets him down again and is in half-guard.

Volkanovski with slashing elbows from above, and Rodriguez’s face is leaking blood now. The champion moves into the interim champion’s guard and lands more ground and pound – this time in the form of punches.

Round 1

Both men stand orthodox but are switching stances already. Rodriguez is the taller, rangier fighter. Forward comes Volkanovski. “Pantera” (panther) is the chant from the Mexican contingent in the arena, referencing Rodriguez’s nickname.

Rodriguez just misses with a question-mark kick, then Volkanovski kicks low. Rodriguez kicks to the body, then again – but his second attempt is caught, and Volk takes him down! He’s into Rodriguez’s guard, shuffling to the fence.

In fact, Volkanovski is in front of his corner now. He’s listening to them and throwing hard body shots. Former women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena is shouting advice to Rodriguez from the crowd.

Rodriguez is eventually able to create space and stand, but Volk drags him back down. More ground strikes from the official champion.

Volk tries for an arm-triangle choke, but Yair uses the threat of a kimura to deter the Australian. Volk ends the round on top.

IT’S TIME! THE MAIN EVENT IS UNDER WAY!

I’ve never seen a fighter look so calm while Bruce Buffer screams in their face as Rodriguez did just now.

Rodriguez is out first, followed by Volkanovski to “Down Under” by Men At Work. Lovely stuff.

Volkanovski and Rodriguez both fought on the same night in February, as “Alexander The Great” lost a controversial decision while challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, after Rodriguez submitted Josh Emmett to win the interim featherweight strap.

The 145lbs titles will be unified tonight, as pound-for-pound great Volkanovski returns to his usual division to take on the Mexican – one of the most unique strikers in MMA.

Volkanovski is making his fifth defence of the belt, having retained it against Max Holloway twice, Brian Ortega and Chan Sung Jung.

It’s been a night of upsets, as the bookies have seen it.

One more?

Alexander Volkanovski defends his featherweight title against interim champion Yair Rodriguez next, in our main event!

Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-47).

AND NEW! Pantoja moves to 3-0 against Moreno! He collapses to the mat in tears.

There are some boos in the T-Mobile Arena, but that’s the right result. 49-46 to Moreno was a kind scorecard for the Mexican.

Round 5

Moreno and Pantoja are both landing clean punches! Moreno may need a stoppage in this round to retain his title!

Pantoja lands a takedown, and this could be brutal for Moreno’s chances... Pantoja takes Moreno’s back, and he keeps it as the Mexican stands.

One minute left... Boos rain down at the T-Mobile Arena.

Round 4

Moreno cut up Pantoja’s face with an elbow in that second round. Now he lands a harsh left hook and uppercut!

A wild punching exchange ensues. This is like Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots! Pantoja changes that, though, with a drive double-leg takedown!

Moreno stands, but he’s being held against the fence. Now he’s taken down again.

Eventually he stands and swings big at Pantoja! He lands a nasty elbow, too, right on the buzzer!